Winchester Cathedral
Accessing 1000 years of history
Between 2012 and 2018, Nick Cox Architects were the architects and lead consultants in the creation of a new visitor exhibition for Winchester Cathedralās South Transept. The fully accessible space has been designed so that every visitor can experience awe-inspiring views of the Cathedral.
Offering an extraordinary insight into life at Winchester from the Middle Ages to the present day, members of the public can peep into mortuary chests containing long-dead Anglo-Saxon royalty or marvel at the spectacular twelfth-century Winchester Bible.Ā
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The first lift in medieval fabric within an English Cathedral
New elements were designed for the spaces to enable the South Transept to accommodate the exhibition and provide access for all.Ā These included a mezzanine floor, staircase and lift from ground floor to Triforium level. Some existing spaces at mezzanine level were reordered, new bespoke security gates were fitted, and an existing 17th century staircase was reconfigured. Extensive work was also carried out to conserve the existing building fabric.
The introduction of the lift was particularly complex, both in practical and design terms. Travelling through a twelfth-century vault, it is the first lift introduced within the medieval fabric of an English Cathedral.
Since opening in May 2019, the new exhibition has re-energised the interpretation of the Cathedralās story and collections. The visitor offer has been greatly enriched and we are truly delighted with the results.Ā
The Dean of Winchester Cathedral
The first lift in medieval fabric within an English Cathedral
We too can say: āWeāve been building a Cathedralā. Because a Cathedral isnāt built once. Cathedrals are built and built up each and every day, by those who conserve and repair what is there, and by those who have a vision to develop and take the Cathedral into the future.
The Dean of Winchester Cathedral
Lottery Funding
The project was funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund and support from the Winchester Cathedral Trust and Friends of Winchester Cathedral.Ā
Nick Cox Architects worked closely with the Exhibition Designers Metaphor throughout the project.Ā
